define projection makes my ArcMap and ArcCat Crash?

[RuthLinsky]

I am a student who with a scholarship version of ArcGIS 10.0 and no longer eligible for tech support or upgrade. When attempting to import a shape file created through FME from GPX format in Garmin BaseCamp, and then I attempt to define projection either in ArcMap or ArcCat the program crashes. Repeatedly every time. Can anyone help offer a fix or possible issue here? Much appreciated! 

[MelitaKennedy]

All define projection does is add a .prj file. If you know the coordinate system, you could make a copy of the correct definition from the Coordinate Systems\Projected Coordinate Systems folder of the installation. Rename the copy of the .prj to have the same name as the shapefile. Does that work?

[RuthLinsky]

Thanks! Yes this helps with specific files but does not solve the crashing problem 😞

[JayantaPoddar]

See if the following steps resolve the issue.

1. Ensure ArcGIS 10 Service Pack 5 is installed.

If the issue persists,

2. Try https://community.esri.com/docs/DOC-2121?sr=search&searchId=365108c0-3d6d-4481-9c28-5f9b6783743c&sea...‌

3. While defining projection, try to navigate to a predefined coordinate system instead of importing the coordinate system from another dataset.

[RuthLinsky]

Hi Thanks! I tried all of these things and cleaning out my temp files however, the crash still happens while attempting to navigate to predefined or importing a coordinate system. I feel like the issue may be with the coordinate system folders?

[MelitaKennedy]

Yeah, I knew it wasn't a solution, but because it's finals time for many universities, I thought you might be in a bind and need a quick workaround.

If you still have the .prj files, you can move the contents elsewhere. If you're brave and bold, you can change the prj (coordinate systems) folder location after backing up your registry. 

Also check file association types in ArcGIS and make sure there isn't a .prj one. I know doing that caused some flakiness in early ArcGIS versions.

Melita